• Decorations: wear gloves while decorating with "angel hair" to avoid irritating eyes and skin. When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, avoid inhaling it and follow the directions carefully.
• Fireplaces: Don’t burn greens in the fireplace or wood stove, as they can flare out of control. Don’t burn wrapping paper in the fireplace because it may contain metallic materials that can be toxic if burned.
• Candles: Don’t use lighted candles near trees, boughs, curtains, and other potentially flammable items.
• Plants: Small children can be attracted to the colorful berries and plants of the season, but severe stomach problems can occur when plants are eaten. Those to watch out for include mistletoe, holly berries, amayllis, and Jerusalem cherry.
• Food and cooking: Wash every surface that comes in contact with raw poultry. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered, shallow containers within two hours of cooking.
• Alcohol, parties, and driving: More than half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related. Don’t drink and drive, and if you are hosting a party, assign a designated driver for your guests.
• Stress: The holidays are the most stressful time of the year. While you can't avoid stress entirely, you can give yourself some relief. Start your shopping early (like, now!). Do some baking in advance and freeze items, rather than save all your cooking chores until the last minute. Prioritize, don’t expect perfection, and forgive yourself if you don’t manage to "do it all" this year.

We wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and stress-free holiday season!

SOURCE: National Safety Council

Women’s Health Services
at the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
The Health Alliance continues to be a leader in women’s health issues using a multidisciplinary approach to the specific care of women.

Through the collaborative efforts of each of our hospitals throughout the Health Alliance, patients and their families receive the most comprehensive and highest quality women’s care available. Our continued commitment to provide the best possible patient care includes clinical research studies, programs of disease prevention, women’s health information services, commitment to community services and outreach activities, programs of research training, and continuing education for health care professionals.

For more information about Women's Services
 of the Health Alliance, call 1-888-640-CARE.